GREENCASTLE- Antrim Township has clarified rules regarding e-bikes, fishing, and more at their popular Antrim Township Park for this spring, summer, and fall.
According to leadership at the Township, Class 1 e-bikes and regular pedal bikes ARE allowed throughout the park. This counts both on roads and trails throughout the park. HOWEVER, throttle e-bikes (called class 2 e-bikes) are NOT allowed in the park under any circumstances.
Class 1 e-bikes are pedal-assisting bicycles that only go up to 20mph. Class 2 e-bikes have both a pedal-assist AND a throttle that allows people to cruise at speeds up to 20mph without any pedaling at all.
According to Town Administrator Chris Ardinger, this was not a recent decision. Saying on social media this weekend, “our Park Committee, staff, and Township administration reviewed policies from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and other community parks. Based on that, a recommendation was made and formally approved by the Board of Supervisors in July 2025.”
One of the major reasons for this policy change were complaints from parkgoers and citizens, with Ardinger saying that they, “observed situations involving higher speeds, close passes, and behavior that created unsafe conditions.”
Additionally, Antrim Township Park has some restrictions on fishing. Notably, the park’s pond is limited to kids 12 and under with a parent as well as those with physical disabilities, “to ensure safety, sustainability, and a positive experience for those using it.” These guidelines help the Township, they say, manage the size of the pond, protect the resource, and ensure proper supervision in a shared park environment.
Anyone 12 and under must be accompanied by a parent or guardian while using the park in its totality.
Looking ahead, once the Martin’s Mill Bridge access road project is complete, the Township anticipates improved accessibility to that area. That work is ongoing.
For those looking for more open fishing opportunities, the Conococheague Creek is located just down the hill at Martin’s Mill Bridge Park. Fishing is open to all there, in accordance with Commonwealth of Pennsylvania fishing regulations.
These rules were not randomly created. They were discussed at length by the Park Committee, staff, and Township administration with the goal of balancing access, safety, and long-term sustainability of the park.
How decisions are made
Decisions like these policies are made by a volunteer Park Committee, Township staff, and elected officials who review issues, look at best practices, and make recommendations before anything is implemented. In many cases, they model our approach after the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and other well-managed parks.
Local governments today operate in a much different environment than they did 30 or 40 years ago. There are increased legal expectations, insurance requirements, and liability considerations that we must account for when managing public spaces.
Antrim Township prides themselves on being overly transparent. Any questions, comments, or concerns, feel free to contact Administrator Ardinger, or their Parks Director who can be reached via phone at 717-597-3818, or on the Township’s website. You can also stop by the Township office or the Park office. The Park Committee meetings are open to the public, the 3rd Thursday of the month at 6:45 PM. Board of Supervisors meetings are also open to the public and the supervisors encourages the public to attend. They are held on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month at 7 PM.
